Some city races will see new faces in Muskego and New Berlin

New Berlin voters will elect a mayor, four aldermen and a municipal judge in the spring election and Muskego voters will fill four aldermanic posts.

As the filing period continues this month, most, if not all, of the New Berlin incumbents, said they are at least considering seeking re-election in the spring general election. In Muskego, at least two will not.

New Berlin

For New Berlin Mayor Jack Chiovatero, it's a demanding job that he still enjoys.

"I probably will run, but I have not decided," said Chiovatero, who has served eight years as mayor preceded by six as alderman, adding "I love the job."

Mayoral terms are four years and the mayor is paid $88,900.

Aldermen whose terms will expire in April are John Hopkins, District 1, who is in his third term; Ron Seidl, District 3, in his second term; Deena Liska, District 5, in her first term; and David Ament, District 7, in his fourth term.

All but Liska, who could not be contacted, said they plan to run for re-election.

"I just want to continue to serve," Hopkins said.

Seidl said, "I want to continue to control spending and do my best for the citizens of New Berlin."

Ament said, "I've lived here all my life, I'm part of the place and I want to make sure things go right and people receive the proper representation."

Aldermanic terms are for three years and aldermen receive $7,000 annually.

The term of Municipal Judge Joseph Dorlack also will expire in April. He filed nomination papers Monday. Dorlack is in his second four-year term. The municipal judge receives $28,369.

Muskego

In Muskego, aldermen Kert Harenda and Neome Schaumberg will not seek re-election to third terms.

Harenda decided not to run after aldermanic district boundaries were redrawn last year following the 2010 U.S. Census. Harenda, who serves as 2nd District alderman, now resides in the 3rd District, in which Neil Boderman is the incumbent.

In District 6, Schaumberg has decided to step down after four years on the council and 12 years on the Plan Commission.

"I did my community service," she said.

Schaumberg said the divisive and emotional battles over two attempts at re-establishing a lake park had nothing to do with her decision. The park plans were the kind of upsets that can be expected as a public official, she said, and overall she has enjoyed her service.

District 4 Alderman Rob Glazier, appointed to the council last summer to fill the rest of the term of Keith Werner who resigned in May.

District 7 Alderwoman Eileen Madden said she has decided to run for a full term. The council appointed her last spring to serve the rest of the term of Noah Fiedler, who resigned due to family and work responsibilities.

Madden had served on the council for seven years previously until losing a bid for re-election to Fiedler in 2007.

Aldermanic terms are two years and aldermen receive $7,639 annually.

Candidates for municipal offices in all communities can now circulate nomination papers to get the required number of signatures to run. The filing deadline is 5 p.m. Jan. 2 in the offices of the city clerks in the New Berlin City Hall, 3805 S. Casper Drive, and in the Muskego City Hall, S8200 Racine Ave.

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